Housing Benefits
Housing Benefit is a government scheme, administered by the council, which provides help towards paying your rent. It is also called rent rebate or rent allowance.
It can be used to pay your rent and other associated costs such as maintenance of communal areas. It does not help with day to day living costs such as food or heating or water rates.

Who can claim it?
If you are on low income and pay rent, either to the council, a private landlord or a housing association, you can claim housing benefit. Anyone can apply for housing benefit who has a rent liability. Personal circumstances and income are taken into account to assess eligibility.

You cannot claim Housing Benefit if:

• You own your property
• You pay rent to a close relative who also lives in the same property
• You have savings of £16,000 or more
• You are a full time student (unless you are under 19 or disabled or live with a partner or have children)
• You are excluded from receiving public funds (e.g. some asylum seekers and other non-UK nationals)

Your claim will be affected if:

How do I claim?
If you want to claim Housing Benefit then download an application form by clicking the following link Housing Benefit Application Form.   It is a joint Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form that can be used for either or both benefits.
Do not delay returning the form to us as you may lose benefit to which you are entitled. You can claim up to 13 weeks in advance, so if you know you are moving to Sutton soon or your circumstances are about to change you can claim now.

If you have any questions about your application please talk to our Rent Income Team (0800 195 5552) or the Council’s Housing Benefit Service (020 8770 5444)
Housing Benefit
1st Floor
Civic Offices
St Nicholas Way
Sutton
Surrey
SM1 1DF

This is also the address to which you should return your completed form.